Neurology Center - A-Z Index

Stereotactic radiosurgery - Gamma Knife

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-power energy on a small area of the body.

Despite its name, radiosurgery is a treatment, not a surgical procedure. Incisions (cuts) are not made on your body.

More than one system is used to perform radiosurgery. This article is about Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is done only for tumors and other medical problems of the head. For tumors and problems elsewhere in the body, other radiosurgery systems may be used.

Before treatment, you are fitted with a head frame. The frame is attached to your scalp. This is done using 4 small pins or anchors that go through your skin to the surface of your skull. Medicine is first given to numb the areas where the pins or anchors attach.

The frame keeps your head steady during treatment. It also helps your doctors ensure the energy beams are aimed at the exact spot in your head that needs treatment.

After the frame is attached to your head, imaging tests such as CT, MRI, or angiogram are done. The images show the exact location, size, and shape of your tumor or problem area.

During treatment:

You lie on a table that slides into a machine that delivers radiation.

The head frame is attached to a helmet that has many holes. The energy beams are delivered through these holes.

The machine may move your head so that the energy beams are delivered to the exact spots that need treatment.

The nurses and doctors will be able to see you on cameras. They can hear you and talk with you on microphones.

You will not need to be put to sleep and the treatment does not cause pain.

Each treatment takes a few minutes to 2 hours. You may receive more than one treatment session. Most often, no more than five sessions are needed.

Risks

Radiosurgery may damage tissue around the area being treated. As compared to other types of radiation therapy, Gamma Knife treatment is much less likely to damage nearby healthy tissue.

Brain swelling may occur. Swelling usually goes away without treatment. Some people need medicine to control this swelling. In rare cases, surgery with incisions (open surgery) is needed to treat the brain swelling caused by the radiation.

The spots where the head frame is attached to your scalp may be red and sensitive after treatment. This should go away with time.

Expectations after surgery

Often, you will be able to go home about 1 hour after the treatment. Arrange ahead of time for someone to drive you home. You can go back to your regular activities the next day if there are no complications such as swelling. If you have complications, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring.

The effects of Gamma Knife radiosurgery may take weeks or months to be seen. The prognosis depends on the condition being treated. Your health care provider will monitor your progress using imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans.

Before You Have the Procedure

The day before your procedure:

Do not use any hair cream or hair spray.

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless told otherwise by your doctor.

The day of your procedure:

Wear comfortable clothing.

Bring your regular prescription medicines with you to the hospital.

Do not wear jewelry, makup, nail polish, or a wig or hairpiece.

You will be asked to remove contact lenses, eyeglasses, and dentures.

You will change into a hospital gown.

An intravenous (IV) line will be placed into your arm to deliver contrast material, medicines, and fluids.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

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